<p>Durham-based Cree plans to hire 244 new workers in a $135 million expansion of its local manufacturing operations, according to an announcement from the governor's office.</p><p>Gov. Bev Perdue announced the new jobs Monday and called Cree a homegrown success story.</p><p>Company executive Greg Merritt says the new jobs are in addition to a plan announced last year to hire 575 new workers by the end of 2012. Cree has 1,723 workers in Durham County.</p><p>Cree makes energy-efficient LED lighting. Their products have been used everywhere from the Olympic Games in Beijing to the cafeteria in a congressional office building.</p><p>The expansion is being aided by up to $2.2 million in state grant money. Cree will receive the money if it meets annual performance targets for 10 years.</p>